a personalized totebag with all the necessities for day of! (make up remover, clear nail polish, tissues, snacks, bottles of water, an ipod shuffle of different wedding songs!

It may not be the most creative of ideas, but I think the best gift to give a bridesmaid would be all the things you "need" her to have on the big day. Dresses, shoes, jewelry, & other accessories really add up. I also love the idea of giving her a place to sleep--i.e. paying for her hotel room the night of the wedding. It may not be the most fun, but what does she need another tote bag for anyway? These things, coupled with a thoughtful, hand-written note couldn't be more perfect.

I got my girls cashmere shawls - they can wear them at the wedding if it gets colder in the evening and then there are so much options to use them after the wedding! The can use then for any evening out - I got beige colored shawls so they go with everything! They can use them for a functional scarf in the cold Boston winters, or as a fashion scarf with any outfit! Cashmere is so universal, and is both warm and lightweight so it's good for any season!

And, since all they wedding planning can make a girl thirst, I got them each a nice bottle of their favorite liquor and a shot glass which I etched their initials on!

The last wedding I was in, the bride gave all her 'maids' Coach wristlettes in different shades of blue. They wer cute, functional, and matched our dresses (which were also varied shades of blue). Plus, it's something I'll absolutely use again and again!

Wedding day essentials are nice, but I love the idea of giving something extra for your bridesmaids to enjoy after the wedding. Being a bridesmaid takes up a lot of time and money (don't get me wrong, it's a huge honor and a lot of fun too!), so why not treat your bridesmaids to something they will enjoy long after your big day?

Suggestion: Customized gift baskets for each bridesmaid. Does your Maid of Honor love wine? Why not fill a basket with a bottle of wine, wine glasses, wine charms, etc.. Does another one like the beach? Fill a tote with a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a book for summer reading!
This is a fun idea because it allows you to show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate their individuality (although they will all look the same the day of your wedding!). And don't forget to put a framed picture of you and your bridesmaid in the basket. These personal touches will go a long away and make you stand out from other weddings they've been in.

I'm getting my wine loving ladies local Vermont wines and since my wedding is a maple theme, each is getting a wine stopper with a beautiful bronze maple leaf on the top.

I am kind of over the monogrammed totes these days and gifts that the girls will never really use. i'm thinking of a spa day after the wedding to have some time to thank them and spend a day relaxing after all of the stressful planning, events, and small talk events they will endure for my big day.

We had a Maine coastal wedding. None of my girls are from Maine so I got them all Maine items: Moxie, maple syrup, monogrammed LL Bean totes, and to top it off one of the moms made custom jewelry for each bridesmaid. They looked amazing!

I received a small Kate Spade bag which I still use all the time when I go out! It was a perfect little luxury item and showed she really thought about something we could all use.

Giving your bridesmaid something that will be functional for the big day but also something that they can use after the big day so it does not sit in the corner of their closet collecting dust. The best bridesmaid gift to me and which i am going to get mine, is going to be a handmade clutch that matches the wedding colors all different according to the maids style. I will then fill the clutch up with the needs for the day, cute jewelry for the day (hopefully from Stella & Dot) and double stick tape, deodorant, hairspray, lotion, perfume, lipgloss, and a note saying how much i appreciate them standing up for me and my soon to be husband and supporting our marriage! Yep i think that would be the perfect gift!

I want my ladies to know how much I appreciate them and all their love and dedication to me and my big day. I want them to feel special and pampered so they are all receiving spa gift certificated inside handmade clutch bags that match the wedding colors. Something fun for the day and something for themselves later on. Please pick me, I love this ring and it matches my dress perfectly!

Hi Ladies, WOW! You all have such thoughtful and kind ideas to make your special day just as wonderful for your bridesmaids. It was hard to choose, but I really liked Jessica's idea of a spa day after the wedding to just relax and reflect on the good times. Congratulations Jessica! If you really love the ring that we gave away it can still be yours. If you book a Stella & Dot trunk show with me, I'll bring that as my gift to you. XO- Julie, Stella & Dot Independent Stylist